Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,153, Thomas Fillebrown, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Fillbrown, Thomas.
S. 29.153
CONTENTS

29 153 Rev y INVALID.
File No. 29 153
Thomas Millebecque
Serg Rec 22
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Declaration of Thomas Hillabrown
26.076
Samuel Vans Grola Map had

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
ss.
On this twenty second
day of August AD 1832
Charleston
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas Probate now sitting at within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid
in said County
Thomas Fillebrown of West Cambridge, aged sixty two years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
 1 That in the fall of AD 1777. he joined the Spring Arm at 1775 on the night of the 19th of April, he was living with Abraham Hemenway in Cambridge and was called up by Col. Gardner to assist the Sector of Cambridge to move the bells, and to give the enemy whatever he could that the British were proceeding to Lexington, which he did, and immediately after, and proceeded with Capt. Thaxter's Company to Watertown & joined Col. Gardner's Regt. there marched he proceeded till they met the British in Lincoln when they joined in the pursuit to Charlestown, and came home that night - On the day of Bunker Hill Battle he volunteered and went into that action under Capt. Perkins of Newburyport.  2 In 1777. he engaged to do a term of three months at Boston, and entered in the Continental Company under Maj. Foster in which he was appointed as sergeant. He joined the Company at Roxbury served out the three months and was discharged.  3 In 1778. he was drafted for three months to do guard duty in Boston was ordered into the Company of Capt. Stephen Dana late of Brighton then of Cambridge, 2nd Ser. of Little Cambridge, there was no field officer, and only one Company under Capt. Dana. He served out his term of three months and was discharged. He remembers to have had a Sergeant's warrant which he has lost by time and accident. He is unable to find any documentary evidence except the muster roll herewith transmitted or to find any living witness of his services. 
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except the present, and declares that his name is not, on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed
Middlesex ss. Oct 12th 1832 The signature of Thomas Fillebrown in presence of Richard Johnson of Malden D.D.
Thomas Fillebrown hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Fillebrown who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 62 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed
Before me. James Russell Just. Peace. Richard Fitke Thomas Russell

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Bradburn Fiske D.D.
who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of West Cambridge & that Thomas Russell Esq. is of that town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Jonathan Hemen Probate in & for said County
J. P. Gay Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Tillebrun for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty second day of  August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
J. P. Gay
Thos. Tillebrun 20 J. P. Gay

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit
At the Court of
Probate
begun and holden at
Charlestown
within and for the County of
Middlesex
on the twenty second
day of August
A. D. 1832
On the application of Thomas Fillebrown claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year, were you born ?
Answer.
In Cambridge in that part which is now called West Cambridge on the 8th of June AD 1750
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer.
I have a family record
3. Did you ever receive any written discharge from service? Ans? I never recd. any such discharge until since
4. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer.
In Cambridge where I now do and also says have lived
5. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer.
Once I enlisted and once was drafted but first of all was a volunteer
6. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer.
I saw Genl Washington, Putnam and Warren at Cambridge
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer.
Rev. Dr. Tufts Thomas Russell Esq. Saml Whetten Esq. Hon. Jedr. Billington
The signature of Thomas Fillebrown impressed in presence of
Richard Johnson and others John L. Day with Cambridge
Sworn to by said Fillebrown - J. P. Fay Clerk

No 26076
Thomas Fillebrown Middlesex County Massachusetts
Sept 6 Mr
Saint Dana Esq. Massachusetts

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Thomas Tilton  Middlesex County Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enrd Apr 1775 privt. Col Gardner, Col. Hacker 80 years Cambridge Massachusetts Traditionary & documentary evidence - paper correct   Enrd 1777 - 3 - Sergt Col. Stearn   Draft 1778 - 3 - 2 Sergt Col. Dana, Battle of Bunker Hill,  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[g] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[h] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[e] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine, with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the terms, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Thomas Fillebrown
S.F. 29153
A muster roll of Capt. Phinehas Stearns' co., Maj. Proctor's detachment has been removed from above claim to be sent to the War Dept.
Sent to War Dept. Jan'y. 16, 1913.
adm.
Oct. 14, 1910.

15. 721 Massachusetts Tho: Gillebrown
of Woodstock in the State of Mass'ts who was a Sergeant in the Comp. commanded by Captain Shacka of the Regt, commanded by Col. Gardin in the Mass'ts time for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass'ts at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Aug. 1832 and sent to St. Paul Proton
Arrears to the 14th of Ma '33 $ 60 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Sp '33 15 $ 75
Revolutionary Claim, As of June 7, 1832.
Recorded by To. C. Gil, Clerk, book 6 Vol. 2 Page 21
87 M. D. Lemp